A new transition-to-home program at Lakeridge Health Oshawa is being hailed as a major success in supporting patients who no longer need acute hospital care and are ready to return home. The Hospital2Home program has been instrumental in easing pressures across the healthcare system, including reducing wait times in emergency departments and improving the flow of patients throughout the hospital.
The Hospital2Home initiative is a collaborative, patient-centered approach that brings together hospital teams—including emergency department staff, in-patient units, and community partners—so that patients and their families can receive comprehensive support as they transition home. The program helps ensure that patients feel confident and comfortable returning to their homes with the right care and support in place.
“For most people, home is where they want to be, and Lakeridge Health is committed to helping people remain strong in their communities,” said Jaclyn McLeod, Director of Healthy Aging at Lakeridge Health. “The Hospital2Home program helps patients and their families get back on track by providing the right care in the right place, with an individualized care plan tailored to each person’s needs and goals. I’ve seen firsthand how this program positively impacts patients and families, preventing caregiver burnout, which is a real challenge in Durham Region.”
The impact of the program has been felt by both patients and the healthcare system. Ron Dekker, whose 89-year-old mother, Ann, was able to return home after a hospital stay, praised the Hospital2Home program for its support. “All she wanted was to return home, but she couldn’t do it safely without help. The support provided through this program made her wish possible. The compassion and quality of care meant everything to our family and gave us true peace of mind,” he said.
The program has also made a significant impact on Lakeridge Health’s operations. McLeod reported that the number of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients—those who no longer need hospital care but cannot return home without assistance—has been reduced by more than 50%. In summer 2024, ALC patients made up nearly 30% of all inpatients at Lakeridge Health, but by 2025, that number had dropped to less than 12%.
The program’s success has helped improve hospital flow, reduce wait times in emergency departments, and create a safer, less stressful environment for patients, families, and healthcare providers. With fewer ALC patients occupying hospital beds, there has been a faster turnover of patients, allowing for quicker ambulance offloads and more efficient care.
Dr. Joel Kennedy, Medical Director at Lakeridge Health’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, credited the program’s success to collaboration between hospitals, home care agencies, and community partners. “By working together across hospitals, home care, and community partners, we’re finding better ways to support people as they return home. It’s about providing the right care in the right place and ensuring that the Durham Region healthcare system works well now and in the future,” he said.
The Hospital2Home program is just one example of how Lakeridge Health is adapting to the needs of Durham Region’s growing population while improving the overall quality of care.
